On Humanitarian Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the blockade of Lachin Corridor. More than seven months after the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor - the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world, by Azerbaijan, the humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated and evolved into a full-fledged humanitarian crisis.
The complete halt of humanitarian supplies since June 15 has exacerbated the situation, creating critical shortages of food, medicine, fuel and other essential goods. The people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the brink of starvation.
The months-long cutoffs of gas and electricity supplies to Nagorno-Karabakh paralyzed social and healthcare services, depriving the besieged people of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, health and education.
As a result of constant shelling by Azerbaijan and shortage of fuel, agricultural works have been disrupted; almost 70% of the pre-planned agricultural works have remained uncompleted, and impossible to carry out, which deprived the chance to mitigate the food shortage at least a little with local products.
This inhumane blockade has a particularly devastating impact on the vulnerable segments of the population, in particular women, children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities and chronic diseases. Resulting from the growing lack of food and vitamins, 2,000 pregnant women, around 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly people and 9,000 persons with disabilities are struggling to survive under malnutrition.
It should be once again noted that the International Court of Justice, in its decision of July 6, reaffirmed another legally-binding obligation of Azerbaijan established by its decision of February 22, to take all the measures at its disposal to ensure the unimpeded movement of people, vehicles and cargo through the Lachin Corridor on both directions.
In addition, the international humanitarian law clearly defines the obligation of states to ensure "the free movement of essential food, clothing and medicine for children under 15, pregnant women and newborns" and to "allow the free movement of medical and hospital supplies for civilians".
Amid the unfolded situation the Government of Armenia decided to deliver a batch of around 360 tons of essential humanitarian goods to Nagorno-Karabakh on July 26. The Armenian side appealed to the Russian peacekeeping forces in order to organize the transfer of humanitarian goods to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani side, continuing to politicize the resulting situation and attempting to complete its policy of ethnic cleansing, has prohibited the entry of humanitarian cargo into Nagorno-Karabakh. This action not only contradicts to the relevant provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, but also to the legally-binding orders of the UN International Court of Justice adopted on February 22 and July 6.
The Republic of Armenia requests the tangible support of your Government/International organization in overcoming the humanitarian catastrophe unfolded in Nagorno-Karabakh. In this context, we also expect addressed calls towards Azerbaijan to adhere to its international obligations regarding unblocking the Lachin Corridor and ensuring unimpeded movement of people, vehicles and cargo in both directions.
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